Tag: amalgamation of peace and non violence

Chandragupta Mauryan was the first ruler who followed Jainism in the late years of his life. He had to face famine during his reign. He moved to south with his spiritual guru Bhadrabhau. He performed Santhara (fast unto death) in Shravanbelgola in Karnataka. At the Chandragiri hill near Shravanbelgola in Karnataka, some stone inscription favors the fact.

Bhadrabhau spread Jainism in South India, especially in Karnataka. He lived in the court of Chandragupta Mauryan. Chandragupta Mauryan went to Shravanbelgola in Karnataka in the last year of his life along with his spiritual guru Bhadrabhau. He belonged to Digambara sect of Jainism. Bhadrabhau was the leader of undivided Sangha but later on Jainism divided into two sects - Digambara and Shwetambara.

In Jainism 'Jina' means one who has controlled ones senses. Ratna or Ratantraya are the tripple gems of Jainism. These are the right faith, right knowledge and right conduct. The term Nirvana is used to free from the cycle of rebirth and death. The term Kaivalya is referred to 'Perfect Knowledge' or Spiritual liberation. 

Jains do worship Tirthankara images, and they do deny the existence of a creator God (Supreme Being). However, the worship of images is a devotional practice, not a direct logical consequence of denying a creator God.

Vardhman Mahavira also was known as Mahavira Swami was the 24th Tirthankara of Jainism. His father's name was Siddhartha and mother's name was Trisala who was a Lichhchavi princess. He married princess Yashoda at a very young age. They had a daughter named Priyadarshana. 

Vardhaman or Mahavira attained enlightenment under a big Shal tree near Rijuvalika river. The nearest village was Jrimbhik. He attained enlightenment at the age of 42.  

The first Jain Council was held at Pataliputra under the chairmanship of Sthulabahu in the beginning of the third century BC. It resulted in the compilation of 12 Angas replacing the lost 14 Purvas.

The concept of Anuvrata was advocated by Jainism. The five cardinal principles of Jainism, if followed by a monk, is called Mahavrata and if observed by a lay follower, then it is called Anuvrata.

Mahavira died at the age of 72 in 468 B.C. at Pava (Pavapuri near Patna). He thus became a Siddha, i.e. fully liberated and forever free of the embodiment. The year of his death, 468 B.C., marks the beginning of Vira-Nirvana era

Mahavira Jain left his home at the age of 30 and wandered for 12 years before finally attaining Kaivalya (Enlightenment) at Jimbhikagrama, on the banks of Rijupalika river.